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Here is this week’s update regarding the ongoing College-wide efforts to safeguard the health of Guilford's community. Be sure to read the full update, especially regarding plans to move into Phase 3 of our Health and Safety protocols.
COVID-19 Testing
We held two testing clinics this week on Feb. 9 and 10. Here are the results::
• Total Tests Administered: 807
• Total Positive Tests: 12
• Total Invalid Tests: 13
• Positive Test Percentage Rate: 1.4%
*If you need to access your individual test results, you can look those up at results.premedinc.com.
Upcoming Random COVID-19 Testing
We will resume random COVID-19 testing protocol on Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The location of the testing is still being determined and will be communicated within the next few days. Individuals selected for the random testing will be sent a separate email with information. If you are not selected for a random COVID-19 test, you can sign up for a voluntary test time slot at this link.
Important Reminder: Please pre-register before you come to the testing site by texting the word COVID to 704.850.6996 or by going to www.starmed.care and clicking the "Register Now" button. Pre-registration takes about five minutes. You will need a photo ID and your medical insurance card to complete the registration. This PCR nasal test is free of charge, covered either by medical insurance or the CARES Act.
Moving to Phase 3 — What That Means for Campus Operations
Informed by the threshold matrix and recent testing data, the President, in consultation with the President’s Cabinet and the Health and Safety Task Force, has made the following changes to college operations beginning Monday, Feb. 15:
- We will move to Phase 3 of our Health and Safety COVID activity matrix starting Monday, Feb. 15.
- CLASSES: Classes are now approved to consider more face-to-face learning meetings. Faculty and students should be in direct communication with each other about questions for the next few class meetings next week. Some classes may immediately begin meeting in-person, other classes may do this more gradually, and some classes may remain remote.
- DINING SERVICES: Founders Dining Hall will re-open for individuals to eat in starting on Monday, Feb. 15. To-go options will still be available. The Grill and Rachel’s Rose Cottage will remain to-go only.
- RESIDENCE HALLS: Residential students may now host guests in their residence hall rooms but are limited to Guilford student guests only and only one guest per assigned resident in each space. Policies for face coverings and social distancing still apply.
- COLLEGE FACULTY AND STAFF: Employees may resume working on campus. Employees who can work from home should continue to do so with supervisor approval. Those departments that have specific guidance within the Activity Matrix should follow that protocol. We will utilize the phased staffing approach that we used in the fall 2020 semester:
- Offices and Workstations: Maintain social distancing of 6 feet or more, no more than one person in a room unless safe distancing is consistently maintained, all open spaces require masks.
- Remote Work: With supervisory approval
- Alternating Days: Modified office hours
- Staggered Reporting/Departing: By at least 30 minutes to reduce traffic in common areas
- Utilize Remote/Zoom Meetings for communication with students, faculty and staff (for appointments/office visits)
Staying Safe On Campus
One of our Public Health Interns, Savannah Henry, has done a phenomenal job putting together this COVID-19 ebook that is thorough and informative and contains all the information you should know to protect yourself and others. We are pleased with the community’s response to the surge of cases we had in January. Moving forward into Phase 3 is the result of hard work and vigilant adherence to our health and safety protocols. Let's continue to move forward so we can remain in this Low Density Operational Phase.
Governor’s Modified Stay-at-Home Order
Governor Cooper extended North Carolina’s Modified Stay At Home Order that requires people to be at home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to last through at least Friday, Feb. 28. We have previously communicated with our community that we are following the mandates under this order.
Please remain vigilant this next week and do everything you can to protect yourself and others while on campus. Please be on the lookout for our next weekly communication on Feb. 19. Please remember that if you have any questions related to COVID-19 and our efforts to mitigate the pandemic on campus, please call the COVID-19 hotline at 336.316.2319. We are all in this together.